Notes from a previous collection coordinator indicate that Miss Lucy Musselwhite (Lillywhite) opened the hospital in 1914 and Matron Eliza Tank took it over in 1921 and named it Nethercourt Private Hospital. However recent research suggests that Miss Musselwhite (name confirmed) moved from Tooronga to Wilson Street some time between 1903 and 1909. She and her mother Elizabeth are listed in the 1909 electoral rolls in Wilson Street and Lucy's occupation is given as nurse. (It is of course possible that the property was a residence only at this time and later opened as a private hospital.) The name Nethercourt was used prior to Matron Eliza Tank taking over. Her daughter Irene was also a nurse at Nethercourt. Lucy Musselwhite was born in 1873 in Hampshire. She married Henry James Dore in later life and lived in Brenbeal Street, Balwyn. She died in 1955. In 1930 / 1935 Matron Tank transferred the hospital to 219-223 Union Road. Later it was known as Norwich Hall / St Jude's. Mosgiel Hospital in Mont Albert Road also opened in 1924. After this time home births became less common. Nethercourt Hospital closed in the 1960s.Small hospitals such as this one were primarily used for midwifery, preceding the development of larger centralised general hospitals. Black and white photo of Nethercourt Private Hospital at 11 Wilson Street in c 1924 taken from the street in winter. The building is Victorian in style; block-fronted with lacework detail to the verandah and has 2 chimneys. It is set behind a wooden picket fence behind which is a well-manicured hedge which appears to have been grown across the front entrance gate.nethercourt private hospital, midwifery, hospitals, matron eliza tank, miss lucy musselwhite, miss irene tank, mrs irene anderson

In 1935 Mrs Eliza tank transferred her private hospital 'Nethercourt' from Wilson Street to 219-223 Union Road. She has operated it at the Wilson Street address from 1916. The Union Road building had originally been Surrey College, a boarding school for boys built in 1889 by Rev Dr Darling. It was not the success hoped for. In 1905 it briefly became Milverton College for girls, after which it was used as a nursing home or small private hospital. By the 1960s it was known as 'Norwich Hospital' and later still 'St Jude's'. It closed as a hospital in 1983. The land at the front facing Union Road was sub-divided off and the building became a private home fronting Barton Street. As a private residence it was rendered and painted.Black and white photo of a double-storey brick building with a tower. There is a veranda between the tower and one of the wings of the building. This is enclosed at the upper level. On one side there is an external set of stairs and an out building. The building is approached by a circular driveway. There are mature bushes in front of the building.On copy photo in lead pencil: "? No & if missing"; "This is a copy"; "595"nethercourt hospital, milverton college, matron eliza tank, norwich private hospital, rev darling, st judes private hospital, hospitals, surrey college